ONE FAMILY. A WHOLE YEAR OF TRADITIONS.

Little rituals.
Lasting memories.

A little flour on the table. A story from Nainai. A new year to make your own.

Meet Henry and James—and a world of stories, thoughtful finds, and gentle reminders that bring Chinese celebrations a little closer to home.

Come into the story ↗Make a little plan →

For the traditions you know, and the ones you’re still discovering.

Henry and James make dumplings with their grandmother, with little Ox and Rabbit toys beside them. — THE FIRST CHAPTERHenry, James & a crooked little dumplinga little imperfect.
a lot of love.

春节

CHINESE NEW YEAR · FEBRUARY 6, 2027

A fresh beginning, one small ritual at a time.

Your preparation companion ↗

01 / THE LOOK & FEEL

Ten ways into
the same little world.

Same brothers. Same dumpling. Ten different feelings. Explore each direction before we decide what this world becomes.

On the page
In motion

Your choice stays in this browser.

Original AI-generated concept art · character appearances are provisionalLeave art notes & adjust the palette →

02 / A STORY TO GROW WITH

The Crooked
Little Dumpling.

Henry wants this New Year to be just right. James has flour on his nose—and a different idea.

First manuscript pass · ages 3–7 · 12 story spreads
One family’s traditions, with room for yours.

Style study of the brothers making dumplings

Style study · not final spread art

ILLUSTRATION NOTE

A note for grown-ups

Zodiac companions are a storytelling motif, not a personality prescription. Henry’s birth year is Ox; James’s January 2024 birthday falls before the Dragon year began on February 10. Calendar note ↗

ONE WORLD, TWO WAYS TO KEEP IT

For the bedtime shelf.
And the coffee table.

The picture book

A 32-page format to explore: 12 narrative spreads, front matter, and a short family activity, glossary, and culture note. A warm read-aloud with an actual emotional story.

The family keepsake

A separate, larger-format companion: art, family voices, food memories, regional traditions, hosting ideas, and room to record your own rituals.

03 / A LITTLE HELP, RIGHT ON TIME

Keep the meaning.
Ease the planning.

For busy families, first-time hosts, in-laws, and anyone celebrating far from home. You don’t have to do everything to make something meaningful.

The timing above is our suggested preparation schedule, not a traditional calendar of obligations. Customs vary across regions and families. Cultural context ↗ · 2027 date source ↗

04 / A YEAR OF BELONGING

One family.
Many chapters.

Each volume holds its own feeling: beginning, light, remembrance, teamwork, and connection. The same beloved characters grow a world across the year.

Open a volume to explore its key art, story seed and family ritual. Explore cover materials ↓

A BOOK YOU CAN FEEL

Five covers.
Five kinds of keeping.

Keep the colors of the collection. Explore the surface that holds them: from an everyday picture book to a special family keepsake.

AI-generated material studies, not manufactured samples. Texture, coating, durability and finishing must be checked with a printer or bookbinder. Explore bookbinding materials ↗

05 / THE GOOD THINGS WE FIND

A generous
little bookshelf.

Our book belongs in good company. Explore other storytellers, practical recipes, inspiring makers, and places to begin.

A thoughtful directory, built slowly.

Next collections: party favors, restaurants by city, jewelry and independent makers. TCM and herbalist entries would need a separate, carefully reviewed directory with verified credentials and clear scope. No provider endorsements or health advice are part of this first pass.

Links are editorial starting points, not partnerships. No affiliate links are active. Pinterest opens a search, not a claimed curated board.

06 / THE CREATIVE STUDIO

Keep the world
open to possibility.

Try a palette. Change a line. Save an idea. This is a working creative direction, with the pieces kept separate so the world can grow.

Make this pass your own

Edit the story, art descriptions, festival chapters, materials and page wording. Saves affect this browser; export a copy for publishing.

Working brand nameAccent color

Paper colorText color

Choose a starting palette, then customize any color.

Working book titleStory spread to editSpread titleManuscriptArt direction & review notes

Import project

Edits save in this browser. Export a JSON copy to keep or share them.

春

a little movement,
a little magic.

Independent lantern motion study

Built as a world of parts

CharactersHenry, James, Ox & Rabbit each get separate model sheets, expressions, poses, and transparent exports after style review.

Places & thingsKitchen, market, table, lanterns, food, and decorations live apart from the characters.

Words & languagesManuscript, glossary, cultural notes, and translations stay editable outside the artwork.

Motion & soundReusable gestures and independent props; reduced-motion support from the start.

Today’s ten style illustrations are flattened concept images. This lantern is a reusable CSS motion prototype. Final character layers, rigs, audio, and book production follow your art review.

How we build the next chapters

1. Choose the world

Review the ten styles, character likenesses, family background, and story voice. Confirm Nainai and Yeye’s roles and preferred language/script.

2. Make the story real

Refine the manuscript, commission cultural and language review, lock model sheets, and create 2–3 finished test spreads before illustrating the full book.

3. Connect the companion

Add a content editor, verified annual holiday dates, email opt-in, timezone-aware reminders, unsubscribe controls, and a searchable resource directory.

4. Publish & grow

Proof the print edition, build the adult companion, connect book sales, and extend the content model one researched festival at a time.

Little rituals.Lasting memories.

Ten ways intothe same little world.

The CrookedLittle Dumpling.

For the bedtime shelf.And the coffee table.